CLAWPUNK review

Drop, smash, drop, smash and don’t stop moving. This is the ethos of CLAWPUNK! It is a neon-infused, fast-paced experience that punishes cheaters and demands that you keep progressing. This breathtaking and relentless action will not be for everyone. However, if you like mindless, arcade games, this will thrill and excite you.

Kittens in Timespace have developed this 2D platform adventure. It is a single-player endeavour that has a colourful, aggressive, and futuristic edge. Moreover, it is wonderfully smooth, fun to play, and a joy to master. However, if you hate rogue-lite gameplay, this may drive you insane.

CLAWPUNK tells a tale of a dystopia.

The future appears grim if you are a cat. An evil corporation has taken control, and its propaganda and cruel ways are undermining your freedom. Thankfully, 9 heroic cats are willing to step forward and destroy the system.

The story is relatively simple and doesn’t really impact the action. Instead, it plays second fiddle to the impressive and eye-watering gameplay. There are 4 worlds to overcome in any order you choose. If you make it through, there is 1 final arena to navigate. However, getting through one chapter is tough enough. Accordingly, it’ll take a brave soul to get through every moment.

Fun mechanics.

CLAWPUNK relies on a minor upgrade system and character unlocking to add depth to its tough mindset. Furthermore, players are rewarded depending on their approach. If you destroy TVs, cameras, and everything else, you’ll reduce the chance for the corporation to hunt you. But if you attempt to fly through the stage, you’ll get chased like the fox on the Boxing Day hunt.

As you progress, you’ll gather purple coins to unlock abilities and characters. This currency can be found behind the TVs. Subsequently, it pays to take your time and destroy everything in sight. As you unlock new characters and skills, you increase your chances of survival. Players are free to select their favourite cat and the abilities it has. Additionally, each hero has a set of strengths and weaknesses that must be mastered.

This design choice was fantastic as the game is open to different playstyles. Do you want a fast, weak, but nimble hero? Alternatively, maybe a brutish thug who one-hits everything in sight. Either way, you can make it work and experiment to find the right fit for you.

CLAWPUNK looks incredible.

Pixelated games aren’t for everyone. I’ve played so many indie and retro games that it has become the norm. CLAWPUNK brilliantly infused dated visuals with a clean and modern colour palette. The use of neon and lighting helps to create depth and drama. Moreover, it is incredibly smooth and runs at 60+ FPS. The audio is hellishly aggressive. The music bumps and shouts as you dive down each arena. Moreover, the sound effects will make your eardrums cry. Consequently, it is a loud and in-your-face title.

The controls are remarkably slick, and the tutorial is easy to follow. As such, players will slay robots, leap platforms, and smash the environment in no time at all. Thanks to the rogue-lite elements and the tough action, CLAWPUNK has plenty of replay value. It will break your soul, but it has a fair, albeit tough, nature.

CLAWPUNK is tough but fun.

I enjoy tough games, but I have to be in the right mood. Luckily, CLAWPUNK caught me on a good week, as I loved every element. The unlocking system is simple but effective, and I adore the aesthetics. Moreover, it has plenty of replay value and will keep me coming back for more. Accordingly, it is tough but fun, and I recommend getting it from the Xbox store!